Saving a main line railway: a remarkable achievement!

50 years ago this year, the first seeds were sown in a bid to save a section of the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire. Graham Oliver, the railway’s former chief executive, recalls those early days of an embryo scheme which has subsequently blossomed into the country’s only double-track main line preserved railway.

As 1968 progressed it became increasingly obvious the British Railways Board would be unlikely to permit the continued operation of privately owned steam locomotives on its routes and an alternative plan would be required to prevent main line locomotives from being incarcerated in museums or restricted to private branch lines.

With steam operations on British Railways finally drawing to a close, the seeds were sown in the Letters pages of the Railway Magazine.

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This painting by Terry Shelbourne was commissioned in 1974 to illustrate what the Main Line Steam Trust hoped to achieve – and is indeed what has now been achieved. The image was used for posters and timetable leaflets. ALL IMAGES Graham Oliver (unless otherwise stated)

There had been correspondence about the idea of acquiring a suitable length of main line as a ‘stamping ground’ where surviving express steam locomotives could ‘stretch their legs’ – effectively demonstrating their performance for the benefit of future generations.

After many similar suggestions, nothing in the way of tangible progress had been made until a letter from Keith Tyler, published in the July 1968 edition, asked: ‘Is it really too late to pursue purchase of at least a substantial part of the GC line between Nottingham and Rugby . . .’

Mr Tyler’s letter concluded with: ‘Individuals and societies have laboured mightily to retain alive some of the most magnificent machines man has ever

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A closure notice posted at Leicester Central station in May 1969. PHILIP HERRICK

As often happens in times of need, a hero must step forward to get things moving. In this case, that brave soul was John Kirby, a Leicester schoolmaster who, together with two colleagues, formed the Main Line Preservation Group (MLPG).

The group’s formation was announced in a news item on page 736 in the December 1968 edition of the Railway Magazine (see picture). The group’s aim was stated simply: ‘to acquire a section of former main line, possibly in the East Midlands, on which privately owned steam locomotives could be run at speed’.

At the time, John had described himself as the hon secretary and, not surprisingly, he received a deluge of letters both for and against the idea. John and his wife worked hard to reply to that first tranche of letters but were quite overwhelmed.

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In an effort to enrol assistance, John suggested an open meeting to be held in the waiting room of Leicester Central station on Saturday, January 25, 1969.

Just 17 people attended that first meeting and each paid the sum of half-a-crown (12½p) to assist with the cost of the group’s administration.

Taking a break from distributing leaflets at Tyseley open day on May 4, 1969. Left to right: Graham Oliver, Roger Holmes and Philip Herrick (son of Frank Herrick). PHILIP HERRICK COLLECTION

The meeting also provided the group’s first elected officers: John, himself moving to the position of chairman, Malcolm Law was appointed membership secretary and Roger Holmes became the group’s treasurer.

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In the weeks that followed, other officers were appointed, including Richard Willis, a local businessman and accomplished railway filmmaker, as well as Frank Herrick, another local businessman, and Stuart Smith, a young railwayman from Derby.

As momentum increased, it was decided Richard would take over as chairman and Frank would be his deputy. Stuart assumed the position of general secretary and John Kirby moved to the role of publicity officer.

Read more and view more images in the February 2019 issue of The RM – on sale now!

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About the Author

Nigel Devereux is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln, working in the School of English and Journalism. He has worked within the print publishing industry for 38 years. Nigel was editor of his hometown newspaper - The Horncastle News - from 1998-2001. Nigel is currently the Production Editor on The Railway Magazine, the UK’s biggest selling magazine for railway enthusiasts. He is also responsible for maintaining and updating several websites across the Mortons portfolio.01507 529529 | NDevereux@Mortons.co.uk